Girls’ 100-mile bike ride

Two Bakewell schoolgirls have conquered a 100-mile bike ride, and raised almost £3,000 for charity.

Ten-year-olds Lily Whatley and Hattie Nieper, of S. Anselm’s School, completed their marathon bike ride last weekend in aid of two causes close to their hearts.

Lily, of Buxton, has raised £1,926 for Parkinson’s UK in the hope that they find a cure for her dad. While Hattie, of Cromford, has raised £652 for Epilepsy Research in memory of her uncle.

Before the ride, Hattie said: “I know its going to be quite hard, but we have got a parent cycling with us to keep our chocolate and liquid levels up! Uncle Richard or Mr Tickle was a fantastic man, always made me laugh. He played the piano lots and was amazing at everything he did. We all miss him but I know he will be chasing me along my route!”

The year six pupils set off last Saturday morning from Buxton and finished on Sunday afternoon, having pedalled to Cromford and back again. Their route, which was almost entirely off-road, included the Monsal, Tissington and High Peak trails and the Cromford Canal, as well as several hills and a total ascent of 5,590 feet.

Jonathan Watt, their teacher who joined them on their ride, said: “I am absolutely staggered at their good spirits and their endurance. Although I was fit as a child I wouldn’t have been able to ride this far at the age of 10.”

To make a donation, visit Lily’s page at virginmoneygiving.com/LilyWhatley and Hattie’s at virginmoneygiving.com/HattieNieper.